BRUNO WANTS TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE

Brighton & Hove Albion captain Bruno believes a healthy balance between youth and experience will be crucial to the club’s hopes of success during their first-ever season in the Premier League.

The 36-year-old missed just one league game for the Seagulls last season, and he stressed the importance of maintaining a good mix of enthusiasm and know-how within the team.

He said, “It’s going to be special for me. I’m looking to compete in the Premier League, but it’s going to be so different to the Championship and we need to be ready for that.

“We had a nice mix of players in the changing room last season, with young people and more experienced players, and we were successful because of that.

“Experience will be important, but when you’re young, you’re not afraid of anything and that’s good too. That freshness from young players will be just as important.”

After playing in La Liga for Almeria and Valencia, the full-back will get his first taste of Premier League football next season, and he believes his experience will make it easier to adapt from playing in the Championship.

“When we got promoted, it was the best moment for me as a professional footballer. We were fighting for a long time and I saw how important it was for everyone.

“I’ve been in a similar situation before, when I got promoted with Almeria to La Liga; it was really important for me then as I had the chance to play in Spain’s top division.

“I was younger and didn't know what to expect, but now I’m older and more experienced, I know what to expect and that makes it easier.”